Jean Francois preps for 1st start

Less than an hour after defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga was “highly unlikely” to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Sopoaga’s backup, Ricky Jean Francois made it clear he’s serious about filling Sopoaga’s various roles.

Could Jean Francois, like Sopoaga, also play fullback against Tampa Bay?

“If you put me at fullback, I’ll be ready,” Jean Francois said. “We were trying to get them ideally to the run the The Wildcat. I can throw about 70 yards, so I’m good.”

Kidding aside, the loss of the 330-pound Sopoaga, who has a staph infection, according to the Sacramento Bee, is a particularly serious loss this week given the upcoming opponent.

The Buccaneers feature a between-the-tackles running game headlined by 247-pound LeGarrette Blount, who ranks 12th in the NFL in rushing.

It will be a serious test for Jean Francois, a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft who will be making his first career start. In limited action this season, Jean Francois has three tackles and two quarterback pressures.

Jean Francois, who is listed at 295 pounds, said today he’s up to 310. Regardless, he’s on the smallish side for a nose tackle and he knows his technique will have to compensate for a lack of eye-popping physical ability. He spent the offseason training at a facility in Miami with a group that also included Panthers linebacker Jon Beason and Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

“I had to work on my technique,” Jean Francois said. “That was like the biggest things for me at that position. A lot of people said I’m too small, I’m not fast enough, I might not be strong enough, so my technique had to fall in.”

With Sopoaga out with a hamstring injury, Jean Francois started the first two preseason games, recording three tackles against the Saints and Raiders while impressing Fangio.

“If he plays the way he did in those games,” Fangio said, “we’re more than in good shape there.”

It’s expected that Ian Williams, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, will back up Jean Francois on Sunday. Williams has been inactive in the first four games.